Lynchburg group helps disabled military veterans reach medical appointments Tim Saunders, [email protected] POSTED: 04:12 PM EDT Mar 19, 2015 UPDATED: 08:43 AM EDT Mar 20, 2015 .
LYNCHBURG, Va. - A simple doctor's appointment can sometimes be a hassle for Jimmy Cunningham. He lives at a group home in Lynchburg, but his physician is 50 miles away at the Salem VA Medical Center.
The distance isn't Cunningham's only obstacle.
"He can not walk, so he needs to be transported in a way that he can ride in his wheelchair," said Cunningham's wife, Patsy.
In the past Cunningham qualified for a government-funded form of transportation, but his benefit was recently taken away.
Now, his fellow veterans are stepping up to help.
"The veteran's motto is we'll never leave another veteran behind, but this country has left its veterans behind," said Otto Davis, a member of the Lynchburg Veteran's Council.
Davis cites military statistics, which show that 40% of all wheelchair-bound veterans in the United States can't get to their doctor's appointments, primarily because they can't afford transportation.
"It's either do we eat, do we heat our house, or do we go to an appointment," Davis said. "That's a decision they have to make."
Davis is helping eliminate that difficult choice for veterans like Cunningham. The Lynchburg Veteran's Council is offering vouchers to pay for specialized transportation.
Rides like the one Cunningham took Thursday normally cost around $400, but the veteran's council was able to cover all of his expenses.
"It feels like a burden has been lifted," Patsy Cunningham said with a sigh and a smile.
The veteran's council hopes to offer many more rides. They've been raising money for the effort since last June and so far they've collected around $20,000.
One of the group's biggest supporters has been the local chapter of the motorcycle group, Rolling Thunder.
"It's a good cause," said Rolling Thunder board member, Jim Tennant. "These guys are military vets. They've served our country."
The free ride program is available for veterans in Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell. The effort is privately supported, but the veteran's council is trying to set up a 501C-3 that would allow them to qualify for grant funding.
LYNCHBURG, Va. - A simple doctor's appointment can sometimes be a hassle for Jimmy Cunningham. He lives at a group home in Lynchburg, but his physician is 50 miles away at the Salem VA Medical Center.
The distance isn't Cunningham's only obstacle.
"He can not walk, so he needs to be transported in a way that he can ride in his wheelchair," said Cunningham's wife, Patsy.
In the past Cunningham qualified for a government-funded form of transportation, but his benefit was recently taken away.
Now, his fellow veterans are stepping up to help.
"The veteran's motto is we'll never leave another veteran behind, but this country has left its veterans behind," said Otto Davis, a member of the Lynchburg Veteran's Council.
Davis cites military statistics, which show that 40% of all wheelchair-bound veterans in the United States can't get to their doctor's appointments, primarily because they can't afford transportation.
"It's either do we eat, do we heat our house, or do we go to an appointment," Davis said. "That's a decision they have to make."
Davis is helping eliminate that difficult choice for veterans like Cunningham. The Lynchburg Veteran's Council is offering vouchers to pay for specialized transportation.
Rides like the one Cunningham took Thursday normally cost around $400, but the veteran's council was able to cover all of his expenses.
"It feels like a burden has been lifted," Patsy Cunningham said with a sigh and a smile.
The veteran's council hopes to offer many more rides. They've been raising money for the effort since last June and so far they've collected around $20,000.
One of the group's biggest supporters has been the local chapter of the motorcycle group, Rolling Thunder.
"It's a good cause," said Rolling Thunder board member, Jim Tennant. "These guys are military vets. They've served our country."
The free ride program is available for veterans in Lynchburg and the counties of Amherst, Bedford, and Campbell. The effort is privately supported, but the veteran's council is trying to set up a 501C-3 that would allow them to qualify for grant funding.